SOLO MOUNTAIN-BIKE RIDE

After heading out on my mountain bike at 7:15 a.m., and then riding past the meet-up spot a tad bit earlier

than the usual meet up time, I decided to bypass the car park area and instead head towards the coffee shop ahead of the group simply because I would not have been able to keep up anyway. Wednesday being the advanced ride day, I thought my choice was the wisest choice. Mountain bikes just can’t keep up with speedy road bikes.

My solo ride to the coffee shop was uneventful but enjoyable, that is whenever I was riding on the trails away from the endless horn-honking, lung-polluting traffic. I commented to one of the lady school crossing guards that we have way too many motorcars hindering a quiet, peaceful existence. She unreservedly agreed!

One block before crossing over Interstate Highway 75, I spotted Ed and Wally at a traffic signal. As soon as they got a green light and left the intersection, the three of us gasped our way over the interstate bridge and then into the shopping mall’s parking lot where Einstein’s Coffee & Bagel Shop was beckoning for our business with the aroma of fresh made bagels and freshly made coffee.

We enjoyed some hot coffee, a bit of chatting, and then five of us (Ed, Rey, Wally, Gary and I) departed for the ride back to the meet-up spot. I left the group three miles into the return trip so that I could ride through Vista View Park and then ride the safer bike trail that led to my wife’s work place. That’s where my ride ended!

When riding slowly on the bike trail, I noticed a lot of splashing going on in the canal that runs parallel to the bike trail. Perhaps the gators were feeding off the tasty, defenseless fish and the unwary, padding ducks. Just maybe…

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2025155

ROAD BIKE RIDE TO WESTON

Today’s ride was with my favorite wheel mate, Sandy S. Because he missed out on Monday’s ride, and I only rode six miles yesterday escorting my wife while she did a training run, we both got together today for an extended road bike ride through four different cities.

Vista View Park was one of our destinations, as was Weston’s Regional Park at the west end of South Post Road.

While in Vista View Park, we rode up the steep incline that led us past the model airplane airfield and then next to the mountain bike trail on the west side of Mt. Trashmore. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take pictures for documentation purposes and because we are both narcissistic.

After stopping and resting at Einstein’s Bagel Shoppe, we rode eastbound on the Greenway, a wide concrete bike trail that begins in Markham County Park and ends many miles east of the park. We chose to exit the Greenway at Flamingo Road and Interstate 595, a very dangerous intersection in anyone’s opinion. We survived, but barely.

This route took us past Tom H’s home and Flamingo Garden’s tropical expanse. Tom wasn’t home, so we continued to ride past the gardens without collecting $200 – and without stopping for a strawberry smoothie. Darn!

Sandy’s ride ended at the car park and my ride ended at my wife’s work place. I thoroughly enjoyed today’s ride!

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2023182

ESCORT BIKE RIDE IN COUNTY PARK

While my wife did a training run inside the county park, I rode alongside her on my road bike.

More times than not, I attempt to keep my bike riding at a minimum during my wife's off hours, which explains why my overall mileage has been somewhat low these past few weeks.

The temperature this morning was perfect.  Not too hot and not to cold - "Just right" as baby bear would say.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2019522

Not too long after noontime, Bob did a weight machine workout in the fitness center.  He did two sets on each of the upper and lower body resistance machines.

SUPER-WET MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE

Staying dry underneath a pavilion in county park

Thinking that the light sprinkle would soon pass, I headed out on my mountain bike for a leisure afternoon ride with plans to end the ride at my wife’s work place. Once there, I was to pick up our vehicle, drive it and the bike home, and then pick up my wife at closing time.

Well, so much for the light drizzle ending. Actually, the sprinkling did end - as soon as it turned into a tropical downpour – and the rain didn’t let up until I finally arrived at my wife’s work place 12 miles and nearly three hours later.

Needless to say, I looked like a drenched rat wearing a blue and orange cycling kit sitting atop a mountain bike.

The upside to all of this riding-in-the-rain nonsense was that I arrived at Janet’s store right when she was scheduled for her one hour dinner break. That being the case, we enjoyed a Whopper with fries and a garden salad with chicken at the neighboring Burger King.

Being inside out of the driving rain felt wonderful! Being with my wife was a super-size bonus. I’ll take that type of super-size bonus any day over super-sized fries.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2010815

RUN/WALK–MTB ESCORT RIDE

Janet ran for 40 seconds every two minutes during her short training run around the lake and in the mall’s parking lot.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/404070981

 

Bob rode alongside his wife while she did a short training run/walk around their lake and in the mall’s parking lot.

Nice morning – 71F with a comforting breeze from the northeast.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2006636

35-MILE, THREE-PARK, MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE

Collage of today's ride

Around 6:35 this morning, I took off on my mountain bike at the same time my wife took off in the truck, only I was heading out for a fun MTB ride and she was heading to work. Seems unfair, huh?

Not having a clue where I was headed, this morning’s ride turned out to be pretty darn good as well as educational. When riding through the Forest Ridge area, I learned who Fort Lauderdale was named after.

After riding around the “Forest Ridge” and “Tree Tops Park” areas,  I twisted my way around a bunch of trials and country roads towards another park called “Vista View Park.”



Taking a break along Orange Drive Bike Trail

Vista View Park is the park that used to be a large landfill. The area now serves as one of Broward County’s favorite parks for joggers and cyclists mainly because of what we locals call “Mount Trashmore.”

After riding on more trails and sidewalks, mostly trails, I entered my neighborhood’s park, “C.B. Smith County Park.”

This 345 acre park is a mere stone’s throw from our home, 1/2 mile to be exact. It was in this park that I got a good photo shot of what appears to be a Florida Wood Stork.

All in all, this morning’s bike ride was an awesome journey. I simply love riding my MTB in and around my sub-tropical neighborhood.

 

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2003403

WOODPILE ROAD-BIKE RIDE

This was a morning road-bike ride with Steven, Tom, Ron and Sandy, starting out at 8 a.m. from our usual meet-up location.  

I’ll label this ride “The Woodpile Ride” because Tom showed us his huge pile of cut logs when we rode past his home on the way back to the meet-up spot.  He is in the process of taking out older trees for much younger ones.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1999241

DISNEY’S JINGLE JUNGLE 5K AND WINE & DINE HALF MARATHON

Janet and Bob with Mickey and Minnie

Vacationing in Walt Disney World during 2013’s Veteran’s Day weekend included participating in two running events, Disney’s Jingle Jungle 5K and Disney’s annual Wine & Dine Half Marathon.

The Jingle Jungle 5K took place on Saturday morning beginning at 7 a.m. and the Wine & Dine Half Marathon kicked off at 10 p.m. on the same day. Whereas Janet participated in both events, Bob, because of a lower back issue, participated only in the 7 a.m. event that took place in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Janet at Wide World of Sports

Dressed in red tops and black running shorts, Bob and Janet ran for 30 seconds every two minutes during the entire 5K event, resulting in a clock time of 44:20. Bob’s back issue turned out to be a non-issue during the shorter of the two events.

Janet, on the other hand, participated in both events using basically the same walk/run method during both distances. Although she would have preferred to finish a bit earlier in the half marathon, she was still pleased with her clock time of 3:18:19. When you consider that she ran a 5K in the morning, plus the fact that the half marathon took place in the late evening, kudos must go to anyone that finished under Disney’s strict three and a half hour time limit.

Tina, Deanna, Janet and Lisa

While Janet was participating in the half marathon, Bob wandered around EPCOT for nearly seven hours putting an annoying strain on his lower back. By the time they finally left EPCOT for their resort room at 4 a.m. Sunday morning, his lower back discomfort turned into lower back pain.

Jokingly, maybe he should have participated in the half marathon with his wife. Doing so would have taken him off his feet much earlier. Then again, he would not have had the occasional option to sit with a cold beer in hand.

Bob’s 5K stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/402814195

Janet’s 5K stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/402811922

Janet’s W&D stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/402811933

1/4 IMPERIAL-CENTURY MOUNTAIN-BIKE RIDE

I may be slow as snail poop rolling uphill when riding my mountain bike, but I never fail to thoroughly enjoy every mile, be they into the wind or with the wind, uphill or downhill.

During today’s ride, the steady 20 to 25 mph wind provided me with a good aerobic workout when heading north and east. No problem, I simply geared it down allowing my speed to decrease significantly. I see no sense in rushing something I love doing!

After crossing the Stirling Road I-75 bridge, the Griffin Road I-75 bridge, and then riding up Mt. Trashmore, my total ascent for the day was an unbelievable 184 feet. Average pace was 9.0 mph with a maximum speed of 19.3 mph.

Average temperature was 86F with partly cloudy skies. I’ve already mentioned the strong wind from the ENE.

Another fun ride in the books!

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1984905

COUNTY PARK ESCORT BIKE RIDE

Bobo’s super-duper, cycling Escort Service comes to the rescue again, as Bobo himself escorted his lovely wife around the park while she did her final training run in preparation for Disney’s Wine and Dine Half Marathon that takes place this coming weekend. I’m really excited for her, as this will be one of many half and full marathons that she has completed in and out of Walt Disney World.

The weather was ideal for this morning’s escort ride and run, with the temps holding steady at 74F and a sky that was as blue as the water surrounding the Florida Keys. Waterfowl in the park was plentiful, as were hawks and other winged flying breeds.

One hawk in particular left his perch atop a tall light pole as my wife ran underneath. Thinking that the hawk was going to dive bomb her while she was running by his pole, she became somewhat frightened at the prospect of being speared by a hawk’s sharp bill. All went well, though, as the hawk flew off to another pole.

Hawks rule!

  Ride

  

 Video

FOUR-CITY MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE

When I was setting back the clocks one hour last night, I knew I would have to leave an hour earlier on my rides so as not to be riding in the sun too long. I also heard on the weather forecast that the wind would be picking up today shortly after daylight.  And that it most certainly did.

Leaving our gated community right around 6:35 this morning, the same time my wife left for work, I began riding a course that I had created on RidewithGPS a few weeks ago. They have a ride creating program that actually gives you the turn-by-turn directions on your Garmin Edge 500’s small screen.

Unlike most of my rides, I started off by heading south with the wind at my back. That must have been the calm before the storm, so to speak, because much of this ride was right into the steady 15 to 20 mph northerly wind. Even though I was riding on the trails and sidewalks with my mountain bike, that strong of wind was definitely a hindrance – but a good workout for the legs.

This morning’s course took me through the cities of Miramar, Southwest Ranches, Cooper City and Pembroke Pines. And I have to tell ya, I was really surprised when I found some awesome biking and running trails in the City of Miramar’s western housing area. I found them only because yours truly took a wrong turn when the bright sun was making it difficult to read the directions on my Garmin Edge.

Despite the strong wind, the weather was perfect, with clear skies and an average temperature right around 74F. Any way you look at it, it was a pleasant day for a bike ride!

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1976553

NEIGHBORHOOD MTB RIDE TESTING INSTAGRAM

After sleeping in this morning because of staying up late last night watching our Miami Dolphins beat the Cincinnati Bengals in our home stadium, I meandered out with my MTB shortly after this morning’s rush-hour traffic had all but disappeared. I suppose it really didn't matter about traffic because I chose to ride my mountain bike in the park and on sidewalks versus riding my road bike on streets.

While out and about, I again gave Instagram a try. Maybe I’ll get the hang of it with a few more test rides, but today I was spending too much time fiddling with my smart phone and not enough time enjoying the park. Due to my inattention, I almost ran over two geese that dared cross my trail. It’s a wonder they didn't peck at my hairy legs when I sharply veered to the left.

Unlike my northern neighbors in the mid-west and northeastern states who are currently experiencing chilly temps, the average temperature during this morning’s South Florida ride was 80F. Can you say “Perfect weather!?”

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1971248